CLE - eDiscovery 101

Austin Hagen

Vice President, Operations
austin.hagen@proteusdiscovery.com

Austin leads the client services team, overseeing the strategy and execution of forensics, ESI hosting, and managed review. His 15 years of eDiscovery experience include project management, training, and consulting. Austin is responsible for process creation and documentation, workflow automation, and ensuring Proteus’ growth is geared to maintain the white-glove service Proteus clients have come to expect.

B.S., Computer Systems, University of Wisconsin-Superior, 2005
Brainspace Certified Analyst
Brainspace Certified Specialist
Reveal Review
Reveal Administrator
Relativity Analytics Specialist
‍Relativity Review Management Specialist
Relativity Certified Administrator (RCA)
Relativity Expert

Ryan Rieff

Director, eDiscovery Services
ryan.rieff@proteusdiscovery.com

Ryan leads our core eDiscovery services, including ESI processing, productions, and database administration. He is a Relativity Master, a feat achieved by only about 250 of Relativity's 250,000 global users.

Prior to joining Proteus, he worked as a document review attorney, becoming proficient in platforms including Relativity, Viewpoint, and Nuix and working extensively in first pass, QC, and privilege reviews.

B.A., History, Indiana University, 2007
J.D., Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, 2015
Relativity Review Management Specialist
RelativityOne Certified Pro (ROCP)
Relativity Certified Administrator (RCA)
Relativity Master

Gary Smith

Senior Project Manager
gary.smith@proteusdiscovery.com

Scott Collins

Senior Project Manager
scott.collins@proteusdiscovery.com

Scott has honed his eDiscovery skills while managing projects at Proteus since 2015. Prior to joining the team, he was a document review attorney with Black Letter Discovery, and a staff attorney in Barnes & Thornburg LLP’s litigation department from 2012 to 2014. Scott has also worked as a law clerk and associate attorney for other Indianapolis-area firms practicing in the areas of personal injury, criminal defense, family law, and property law.

Scott’s practice involves regular management and delivery of eDiscovery and Information Governance services to a wide variety of local, regional, and national clients. He enjoys serving as an intermediary between clients, outside counsel, eDiscovery vendors, and document review teams. For over five years, Scott has engaged in various high-profile document review projects, including as a first line reviewer, a QC reviewer, a team leader, and a project manager. He has worked on projects ranging from medical device litigation for a Fortune 100 subsidiary to contract litigation for a multinational chemical corporation.

B.A., Mass Communications and History, Anderson University, 1999
J.D., Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, 2010
RelativityOne Certified Pro (ROCP)

Sarah Barth

Senior Project Manager
sarah.barth@proteusdiscovery.com

Sarah draws on a decade of legal experience to help her clients navigate large-scale discovery matters. She brings her affinity for detail-oriented work to each stage of the process, leveraging her background as first pass reviewer, quality control reviewer, compliance counsel, project attorney, and project manager to ensure her clients' needs are translated and implemented throughout the project lifecycle.

Prior to joining Proteus, Sarah's background included facilitating large commercial real estate transactions, global enterprise regulatory compliance, and class action settlement administration.

B.A., Social Sciences, Washington State University, 2010
J.D., Environmental and Natural Law Certificate, University of Denver Sturm College of Law, 2013

Sarah Whitney

Project Manager
sarah.whitney@proteusdiscovery.com

B.A., International Studies, Bradley University, 2008
J.D., Western Michigan University Cooley Law School, 2012

Darryl Durham

Associate Project Manager
darryl.durham@proteusdiscovery.com

B.A., Journalism, Columbia College Chicago, 1982

Travis Morgenstern

Associate Project Manager
‍travis.morgenstern@proteusdiscovery.com

B.A., Business Administration, Fort Hays State University, 2022

Ryan Short

Vice President, Revenue
ryan.short@proteusdiscovery.com

Ryan leads business development and consults with clients to design engagements that are right-sized with respect to services, software, and cost. He is a Certified eDiscovery Specialist and holds certifications from multiple hosting and review platforms.

He also leads commercialization efforts for DiscoveryMaster, a Relativity integration developed by the Proteus leadership team, now licensed to law firms, managed services providers, consulting firms, and corporate legal teams across the globe.

B.A., Telecommunications, Indiana University, 2011
M.B.A., Kelley School of Business, Indiana University, 2020
Certified eDiscovery Specialist (CEDS)
Relativity Certified Sales Professional
Reveal Sales Certified
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eDiscovery 101: A Legal Primer for Modern Litigation

In today’s digital world, legal professionals must navigate an ever-expanding universe of electronically stored information (ESI). From emails and text messages to social media posts and cloud-based documents, digital evidence plays a crucial role in modern litigation. Understanding eDiscovery—the process of identifying, collecting, and producing this data in legal matters—is no longer optional for attorneys; it is an essential skill. That’s why Proteus Discovery Group offers eDiscovery 101, a Continuing Legal Education (CLE) course designed to equip legal professionals with the knowledge they need to handle ESI effectively and ethically.

Why eDiscovery Matters

Litigation has become increasingly data-driven, with discovery costs often making up 70% of total case expenses in matters that do not go to trial. Courts have made it clear that attorneys are expected to understand eDiscovery principles, and failure to do so can result in severe consequences—including sanctions for spoliation of evidence. Our eDiscovery 101 course provides an essential foundation for legal professionals, ensuring they can meet their ethical obligations while navigating the complexities of modern discovery.

Course Overview

The eDiscovery 101 CLE covers key topics, including:

• The Role of Counsel in eDiscovery – Attorneys have a duty to preserve and produce relevant ESI. This section explores best practices for legal holds, custodian interviews, and cooperation with opposing counsel.
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• The Electronic Discovery Reference Model (EDRM) – Understanding the EDRM framework helps legal professionals manage data from preservation through production.
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• Legal Holds & Document Preservation – Proper implementation of legal holds prevents spoliation and ensures compliance with discovery obligations.
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• The Rule 26(f) Conference – Learn how to negotiate eDiscovery protocols and establish defensible collection and production methodologies early in litigation.
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• Requesting and Producing ESI – Strategies for effectively handling requests for electronically stored information, including metadata considerations and production formats.

• Emerging Challenges in eDiscovery – Topics such as mobile device data, social media evidence, collaboration tools, and even deepfake risks in document review.

Real-World Lessons: eDiscovery Gone Wrong

A key component of the course includes case studies highlighting the consequences of poor eDiscovery practices. In Lester v. Allied Concrete, an attorney instructed a client to delete Facebook photos that could be harmful to their case. The result? The attorney was sanctioned $542,000, and the client was ordered to pay $180,000 for spoliation of evidence. These real-world examples emphasize the importance of defensible eDiscovery strategies and ethical compliance.

Who Should Take This Course?

Whether you’re an experienced litigator, in-house counsel, or just beginning your legal career, eDiscovery 101 provides critical insights into the discovery process. This course is particularly valuable for:

• Attorneys handling litigation and regulatory investigations
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• Corporate legal teams managing compliance and data governance
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• Paralegals and legal support staff responsible for document review and production
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• Any legal professional looking to enhance their understanding of ESI best practices

Stay Ahead in the Digital Age

At Proteus Discovery Group, we believe that education is key to mastering eDiscovery. With ever-evolving technologies, data sources, and legal standards, staying informed is essential to providing competent and ethical legal representation.

Interested in learning more about eDiscovery 101 or scheduling a CLE for your firm or legal department? Contact us today to learn more!